Writing

Assignment

• Does the draft carry out the assignment?
• If not, how might the writer better fulfill the assignment?

Introduction

• Does the introduction orient the reader to the paper?
• Does it whet the reader’s appetite?
• Is the thesis clearly stated?
• Does it provide a roadmap for the rest of the paper?  

Thesis/claim

• Does the thesis have a topic with a claim made about it?
• Is the topic + claim too broad or too narrow for the scope of the paper?
• Can it stand up to the question, “So what?” 

Audience

• Who is the audience?
• How does the draft interest and appeal to its audience?
• Is it written at the right level for the intended readers?

Main Points/Body Paragraphs

• Does each main point have a topic sentence?
• Does each point support the claim made in the thesis? Should any points be eliminated or de-emphasized?
• Underline the evidence used to support the point. Do any points need to be developed (supported) more fully? What evidence, examples, details might help? 
• Are sources integrated seamlessly into the paragraph, i.e. is there commentary from the writer about the evidence? Is the source cited?
• Which paragraphs are clearest? Best developed?

Organization and flow

• Is the writing easy to follow?
• Are the ideas presented in an order that makes sense to readers?
• Identify paragraphs/sentences that seem out of place or repetitive.

Transitions

• Are there effective transitions within sentences, between paragraphs, and from one idea to the next?
• Are keywords repeated to help readers follow a logical order? Would headings be appropriate?

Conclusion

• Does it restate or connect back to thesis?
• Does it introduce new ideas that belong better in body paragraphs?
• Does it end in a memorable way, leaving the reader with something to think about, or does it seem to end abruptly or trail off into vagueness?